Flying car with fore and aft lifting surfaces

ABSTRACT

A flying vehicle with folding wings that drives well on the ground and flies well in the air; controlled from inside, it changes from automotive to aircraft configuration without the operator needing to get out of the vehicle. The balance point of the vehicle is located midway between the front and back wheels, providing good handling on the road. In the aircraft configuration with wings unfolded, there is a front wing and a back wing. The incidence of the front wing is controllable, enabling the craft to rotate and take off with a center of gravity located well ahead of the rear wheels. The back wing is fitted with foldable vertical stabilizers near its wing tips. In automobile configuration the wings are folded on top of the body; the wings resemble a roof rack with large surfboards on it. Driven wheels provide motive power on the ground; ducted fans provide thrust for air travel. An autopilot system provides stability and navigation aid, particularly in bad weather or poor visibility. In the roadable configuration, filling water ballast tanks provides additional crosswind stability and crash protection. In its flying configuration, the invention can be licensed as a Light Sport Aircraft.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority by a provisional application“Flying Car with Fore and Aft Lifting Surfaces’ filed by Express mail on17 Oct. 2014. Return postcard sticker numbers: 62122344 101714

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel improved apparatus and method tothe field of flying cars and roadable aircraft. For over a centurypeople have dreamed of a vehicle that was both a good car and a goodaircraft. Many attempts have been made to realize this dream: in 1917aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss' Company built the Autoplane, whichachieved short flight hops. In 1933 Waldo Waterman flew the firstsuccessful roadable aircraft called the “Arrowbile”. In 1947 the ConvairCompany built an experimental flying car with a detachable wingstructure. Molt Taylor completed the “Aerocar” in 1949, which haddetachable wings and tail assembly that could be towed as a trailerbehind the car module; several production units were built and somestill fly today. Converting the “Aerocar” from car to plane or backagain required about 40 minutes of work. The Terrafugia Transition is aroadable aircraft that has been under development since 2006; it changesconfiguration autonomously as directed by the operator. Attempts havebeen made to build vertical take off (VTOL) flying cars, but the powerrequired to take off and the windblast produced are both daunting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Below is a listing, with some comments, of various patents in the priorart related to flying cars and to the present invention:

In 1924 Weinberg, U.S. Pat. No. 1,481,400 teaches a folding wingmechanism where the wings fold back and pivot to a vertical plane; thewing struts are used to secure the wings to the aft fuselage.

In 1929 Tubbe, U.S. Pat. No. 1,731,757 discloses a pusher configurationaircraft with wings that fold downward at a distance from the fuselagewhile the tail boom folds upward, and alternately a wing that pivotsabout a vertical axis, one tip going forward the other tip moving aft.Tubbe also teaches a wheel retraction mechanism.

In 1930 Rystedt, U.S. Pat. No. 1,761,053 shows an aircraft with multipleducted fans and retractable wheels.

In 1935 Vieriu, U.S. Pat. No. 1,998,148 shows wings that pivot rearwardsabout a vertical axis, the pivots being located near the three-quarterchord position on the wing.

In 1935 Nightingale, U.S. Pat. No. 2,011,254 teaches wings that pivotaft about vertical axes and trailing edge control surfaces that folddownward when the wings fold back.

In 1940 Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,215,003 shows a flying automobile withdetachable wing and tail structure.

In 1941 Beals, U.S. Pat. No. 2,241,577 depicts a pusher configurationflying car with detachable wing and tail unit.

In 1946 Thompson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,402,468 shows a four-wheeled aircraftwith two-axis-pivot aft folding wings.

In 1947 Fulton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,430,869 teaches a four-wheel car withdetachable wing and tail structure.

In 1950 Fish, U.S. Pat. No. 2,494,547 teaches a detachable wing and tailstructure attaching beneath the car portion of the vehicle.

IN 1951 Hall, U.S. Pat. No. 2,562,490 shows a flying car with detachablewing and tail.

In 1951 Masterson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,563,731 teaches a flying car with afoldable helicopter-type rotor.

In 1951 Abel, U.S. Pat. No. 2,572,421 shows a folding wing aircraft withtwo-axis pivots.

In 1951 Perl, U.S. Pat. No. 2,573,271 teaches forward folding wings andretracting tail boom, which move the center of gravity of the vehicleforward when in roadable configuration. The wings are stacked one abovethe other when folded.

In 1954 Holland, U.S. Pat. No. 2,666,602 teaches aft folding wings thatoverlap when folded.

In 1954 Pellarini, U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,422 shows multi-axis aft foldingwings on a roadable aircraft.

Also in 1954 Gerardine, U.S. Pat. No. 2,675,976 provides improved meansof detaching the wing and tail assembly of a roadable aircraft.

And again in 1954 Carpenter, U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,095 teaches aft foldingwings that overlap when folded.

In 1957 Rethorst, U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,323 describes a low aspect rationroadable aircraft with retractable stub wings.

In 1958 Kissinger, U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,567 shows a craft with a circularplan form wing that has inward folding tip sections.

In 1960 Bland, U.S. Pat. No. 2,940,688 teaches a roadable aircraft withfolding wings that also functions as a sailboat.

IN 1962 Zuck, U.S. Pat. No. 3,056,564 shows aft folding wings thatoverlap when folded.

In 1964 Halsmer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,134,560 depicts a folding wing roadableaircraft that can rotate the aircraft portion to an angle of incidencerelative to a four-wheel under carriage.

In 1967 Sawyer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,317,161 shows two ducted fans embeddedin the body of an air car that blow air over a series of liftingairfoils.

In 1977 Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,421 teaches a quad-rotor air car withfour vertical axis fans.

In 1986 Einstein, U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,585 reveals an auto-plane withwings that fold asymmetrically along four longitudinal axes and stack upon top of the vehicle, the tail assembly retracts forward.

In 1991 Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,817 teaches a Combined Road andAircraft Vehicle that employs aft multi-axis folding wings and aretracting tail assembly.

In 1992 Lay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,173 reveals a Pressure Jet and DuctedFan Hybrid Electric car, with optional solar panels.

In 1995 Wernicke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,502 shows a short span Flying andRoad Vehicle with upper and lower tip-mounted winglets.

In 1996 chiappetta, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,407 teaches an Air-Land Vehiclewith multiple shrouded fans.

In 1999 Pham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,228 discloses a Rapidly-ConvertibleRoadable Aircraft with a wing that pivots as a unit about a singlevertical axis. A rear-mounted ducted fan is shown.

In 2000 Spitzer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,665 reveals a Roadable Aircraftwith wings that fold to vertical forward-located positions along thesides of the vehicle.

In 2000 Bragg, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,014 teaches compound-folding wingsthat stow in vertical orientation on the sides of the vehicle.

In 2000 Pham, U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,306 shows a roadable aircraft with awing that pivots as a unit about a single vertical axis and additionallyhas inward folding tip sections.

In 200 Crow, U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,848 shows wings folding to side mountedvertical positions with horizontally folding portions that enhanceoccupant visibility.

In 2003 Haynes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,584 B1 discloses wings that foldalong a plurality of longitudinal axes.

In 2004 Einstein, U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,450 B1 teaches asymmetrical foreand aft pivoting wing tip sections moving in a horizontal plane,detachable front lifting surfaces are also disclosed.

In 2005 Bragg, U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,690 B1 reveals a motorcycle with aparasail wing.

In 2005 Purcell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,970 B2 discloses aft-folding wingswith flexible inner portions and also a folding tail assembly.

In 2007 Preston, U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,019 B2 shows a ground vehicle witha flexible parasail attached above.

In 2011 Xu, U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,512 B2 reveals a collapsible biplaneconfiguration where the wings additionally pivot as a unit about asingle vertical axis.

In 2011 Dietrich et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,358 B2 teach a roadableaircraft with wings that fold inboard, pivoting about four longitudinalaxes.

In 2012 Bousfield et al., US application US 212/0032023 A1 disclose aretractable wing hinge and truss for wings that pivot in a horizontalplane.

In 2012 Seiford, U.S. Pat. No. 8,162,253 B2 show aft-folding wings thatstow in a vertical position.

In 2012 Goldshteyn, U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,347 B2 discloses wing tipsections that fold inboard about longitudinal axes.

In 2013 Easter, U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,520 B2 teaches telescoping wing tipsand tail booms, and a low wing unit that pivots about a vertical axis.

In 2013 Eames, U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,263 B2 shows a roadable aircraft in atandem wing configuration with aft-folding front wing panels andforward-folding rear wing panels, including blown flaps and pivotingducted fans.

In 2013 Im, U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,979 B2 reveals a Foldable Swan-WingsAircraft where the wings fold upward at the root section on each side.

In 2013 Schweighart et al., US application US 2013/0193263 A1 show wingsthat fold about four longitudinal axes, folding up at the root sectionand downward near the midpoint of each side wing panel.

In 2013 Blomeley, U.S. Pat. No. 8,511,603 B2 teaches aft folding wingswith collapsible structure and a ductless fan for propulsion.

Aft-folding wings were used on de Havilland biplane aircraft in the1920's.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle thatconverts easily from a self-contained roadworthy car configuration intoa good flying aircraft configuration and back again while the occupantsremain in the vehicle. More specifically, for improved balance, it is anobject of the invention to have a center of gravity locatedsubstantially midway between the front and rear wheels in the roadableconfiguration. This is to give good automotive handling. It is an objectof the present invention to have fore and aft lifting surfaces, thefront surface having variable lifting ability that enables the craft torotate for takeoff while having a center of gravity located well forwardof the rear wheels. It is a key object of the invention to have a frontsurface that can develop a large amount of lift and yet not destabilizethe craft in the pitch axis. It is an object of the invention to have aself-trimming front surface that adjusts its trim condition in responseto oncoming airflow meeting the craft when in flying configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment the present invention can have five wheels;two front wheels can be steerable; and at least one wheel can be drivento provide automobility on the ground. For flying, the craft can belicensed as a Light Sport Aircraft. In the flying configuration, aforward and an aft lifting surface can be provided; the front surfacecan fold reward and the aft lifting surface can fold towards the frontwhen forming a roadable configuration. When in flying configuration, thefront lifting surface can pivot about a lateral axis in response to itsrelative wind, allowing it to generate large amounts of lift and yet notdestabilize the craft in pitch. Combination winglets, verticalstabilizing surfaces, and control surfaces can be provided near theoutboard sections of the aft lifting surface. Ducted fans can providethrust to the craft when in its flying configuration. Keeping emptyweight and airspeed within the limits of the FAA Light Sport AircraftCategory can reduce development and production costs.

In an alternative embodiment the current invention may have four wheels,which provides for many of the benefits and limitations of regularautomobiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows the present invention in flying configuration.

FIG. 1B shows the invention sitting on the ground in roadableconfiguration.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the present invention showingstep one of a four step folding sequence going from flying configuration500 to roadable configuration 400.

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the present invention showingstep two of a four step folding sequence going from flying configuration500 to roadable configuration 400.

FIG. 2C is a front perspective view of the present invention showingstep three of a four step folding sequence going from flyingconfiguration 500 to roadable configuration 400.

FIG. 2D is a front perspective view of the present invention showingstep four of a four step folding sequence going from flyingconfiguration 500 to roadable configuration 400.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the flying configuration 500 of the presentinvention while the craft is resting on the ground.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the present invention while restingon the ground in the flying configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of the flying car with the frontlifting surface in a position of large positive angle of incidence; forclarity, the rear wing is not shown in this figure.

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the flying car with the frontlifting surface in a position of negative angle of incidence.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of an alternative front lifting surface with nosweepback and examples of contiguous as well as non-contiguous moveableportions for trim adjustment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a flying car 100 type of vehicle 101 and amethod of travel using a convertible vehicle 101, which can comprise thefollowing elements.

The flying car 100 can have a body 110, which can be capable of carryinga useful load 120, the vehicle 101 can have a longitudinal axis 122front to back, a lateral axis 124 side to side, and a vertical axis 126up and down; the body 110 can have a front portion 131, a middle portion132 and an aft portion 133.

The present invention can have a plurality of wheels 140 attached to thebody 110, and at least one steerable wheel 142 that is capable ofproviding a steering function for the vehicle 101; the wheels 140 can beof sufficient strength to provide support for the flying car 100 when itis rolling on the ground 10.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have propulsion means200, which can be capable of providing a forward force 205 to thevehicle 101 when the flying car 100 is in the air 20; the propulsionmeans 200 can be able to provide forward force to the car when the caris rolling on the ground 10.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have a plurality ofaerodynamic lifting surfaces 300, a front lifting surface 310 can belocated near the front portion 131 of the body 110 and a rear liftingsurface 320 can be located proximal to the aft portion 133 of thevehicle 101 body 110; each lifting surface 300 can have: a leading edge302, a trailing edge 304, at least one tip section 306 outboard from thecar body 110, a central section 308 proximal to the car body 110 and ageneral plane 312 coincident with the averaged contours of the liftingsurface 300. When in motion relative to the air, each lifting surface300 can have an angle of attack 325 and a center of lift 330; the centerof lift 330 generally moving fore and aft as the angle of attack 325that the airflow meets the lifting surface 300 changes; each liftingsurface 300 can have airfoil sections 340 taken on planes 342perpendicular to the general plane 312 of the lifting surface andparallel to the longitudinal axis 122 of the flying car 100. Eachlifting surface can have an incidence angle 328 measured between thegeneral plane 312 of the lifting surface 300 and the longitudinal axis122 of the vehicle 101.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have airflow detectionmeans 350 for detecting the direction of airflow relative to the frontlifting surface 310.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have inclination means370 that can adjust the incidence angle 328 of at least a portion of thefront lifting surface 310 in response to the airflow detection means350.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have a roadableconfiguration 400 comprising folding means 410 for folding the liftingsurfaces 300 so that the roadable configuration 400 is compact enough tofunction as a road vehicle 402.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have a flyingconfiguration 500 comprising extending means 510 for extending thelifting surfaces 300 so that the flying configuration 500 is wide enoughto provide adequate wingspan for efficient flight.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have controlling means600 for steering and directing the up and down motion of the flying car100 when it is flying through the air 20.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have directionalstability means 650 for keeping the flying car 100 pointed in thegeneral direction that it is going relative to the surrounding air 20when flying in the flying configuration 500.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have energy storagemeans 700 for containing stored energy aboard the flying car 100.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have energy conversionmeans 750 for converting the stored energy into mechanical power.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have transmission means800 for conveying the mechanical power to the propulsion means 200.

The flying car 100 of the present invention permits a useful load 120 tobe carried both on the ground 10 through the road system 12 and alsocarried in flight through the air 20.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can carry a useful load 120comprising at least one person 121, whereby a person 121 may enjoy thebenefits of both ground 10 and air 20 transportation and rapidly switchbetween the two.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can comprise four wheels 140attached to the body 110, two front wheels 146 and two rear wheels 148,the two front wheels 146 can be steerable 142, whereby the flying car100 can have the roadworthiness of a normal automobile.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have propulsion means200 comprising at least one driven wheel 145, whereby ground 10 mobilitymay be achieved with quiet efficiency.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have propulsion means200 comprising at least one ducted fan 230, whereby people and objectsare protected from dangerous spinning mechanism.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have a ducted fan 230located near the rear 133 of the vehicle 101, whereby superioraerodynamic efficiency can be attained.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have two side-by-sideducted fans 230, whereby the car can be lower and wider andcounterrotation of the fans can eliminate many asymmetrical forces onthe vehicle 101.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have airflow detectionmeans 350 and the inclination adjustment means 370 provided by apivoting of the front lifting surface 310 about a lateral pivot axis 315in response to the airflow 30, the lateral pivot axis 315 can be locatedat the center of lift 330 of the front lifting surface 310 when thefront lifting surface 310 is operating at a predetermined angle ofattack 325. The front lifting surface 310 can have independent pitchstability when pivoted about its lateral pivot axis 315 thereby seekingthe predetermined angle of attack 325. The front lifting surface 310 canthereby stably fly itself in the manner of a stable independent aircraftwith its center of gravity 338 located coincident with the lateral axispivot position 315.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have an adjustableportion 380 of the front lifting surface 310 that can be adjusted tochange the relationship between the location of the lifting surface'scenter of lift 330 and its angle of attack 325. By means of thisadjustable portion 380 the front lifting surface 310 can be made to seekdifferent angle of attacks 325 and different trim positions 316, 317.The front lifting surface 310 can be trimmed to fly at a variety ofangles of attack 325 and at a variety of lift coefficients by means ofthe adjustable portion 380, providing pitch and speed control for theflying car 100 when it is flying.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the front liftingsurface 310 sweep back on both sides from its central section 308. Theadjustable portion 380 of the front lifting surface 310 can be selectedfrom a group containing: moveable tip sections and moveable trailingedge 304 portions located proximal to the tip sections and moveabletrailing edge 304 portions located proximal to the central section 308of the front lifting surface 310, providing a variety of ways to changethe trim angle of attack 325 of the front lifting surface 310.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have a front liftingsurface 310 that is approximately unswept. A stable relationship betweenangle of attack 325 and center of lift 330 can be attained by means ofreflexed airfoil sections 340 that have an upward bend near theirtrailing edges 304, whereby no sweep is needed and the lift distributionalong the surface can remain more uniform from side to side.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the adjustableportions 380 of the front lifting surface 310 comprise attachedsub-surfaces non-contiguously located behind the main portion of thefront lifting surface 310, whereby sweepback of the surface 310 may notbe required.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the center of mass338 of the front lifting surface 310 located approximately coincidentwith (or forward of) its lateral pivot axis 315, whereby the dynamicstability of the surface 310 is enhanced.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have a first portion ofits front lifting surface 310 fixed in incidence relative to thelongitudinal axis 122 and a second portion of the front lifting surfacethat can move in response to the airflow detection means 350, wherebythe moving parts of the surface 310 may be smaller.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have a mechanical torqueabout the lateral pivot axis 315 applied to the front lifting surface310 without significantly interfering with the lifting surface's abilityto respond to the airflow detection means 350, the torque can be appliedfor a purpose selected from among the group consisting of: adjusting thetrim angle of the surface and providing damping to the surface while itis pivoting.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the front liftingsurface 310 comprise a central element 308, with two substantiallyvertical pivot axes 420 located on the central element 308, a forwardport side element with a pivot location 422 and a forward starboard sideelement with a pivot location 424. Each forward side element can be ableto pivot rearwards about one of the two pivot axes positioned on thecentral element, the two pivot axes can be separated by a first lateralspacing 426 small enough to permit the forward side elements 309 to foldback into a roadable configuration 400 that meets predetermined widthrestrictions, the first lateral spacing 426 can be large enough to allowthe two forward side elements 309 to fold back into a roadableconfiguration 400 without interference between the two forward sideelements 309.

The front lifting surface 310 of flying car 100 of the present inventioncan have at least one of the two folding pivot axes 420 inclined fromthe vertical by a predetermined amount 425, such that due to theinclination of the pivot axis 420, as each side element 309 rotatesrearward about the vertical axis 126 of the vehicle 101, at least oneforward side element 309 also rotates about the longitudinal axis 122such that the trailing edges 304 of the two forward side elements 309are vertically displaced relative to each other in the roadableconfiguration 400. This allows the trailing edges 304 of the two frontlifting surface side elements 309 to overlap along the centerline of thevehicle 101; and still the two forward side elements 309 of the frontlifting surface 310 can have good lateral symmetry in the extendedflying configuration 500, whereby a more compact roadable configuration400 results than if no overlap is provided and a visually pleasinglateral symmetry is maintained when the surfaces 300, 309 are extendedin flying configuration 500.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the central element308 of the front lifting surface 310 comprise an upper part 311 and alower part 313, the upper part 311 and the lower part 313 each can havean aerodynamically streamlined airfoil section. The upper part 311 andthe lower part 313 can be separated by a predetermined distance 318allowing the central sections of the two forward side elements 309 ofthe front lifting surface 310 to fit between the upper part 311 and thelower part 313 of the central element 308 when the front lifting surface310 is folded into its roadable configuration 400. With thisarrangement, aerodynamic streamlining is enhanced in the flyingconfiguration 500, with a minimum of moving parts.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the front liftingsurface 310 provided with means of maintaining a substantiallyhorizontal orientation when the vehicle 101 is on the ground in theflying configuration 500 and a wind is blowing from behind the vehicle101, whereby the front lifting surface 310 is prevented from floppingaround and getting damaged in adverse wind conditions. A centeringspring can be used to achieve this function, while still allowing thefront lifting surface 310 to respond to the angle or forward airflow 30in normal flight.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the rear liftingsurface 320 comprise a rear port side element 321 and a rear starboardside element 322. Two rear folding pivot locations 323 can be providedon the aft portion of the car body 110, a second predetermined spacing324 can separate the two rear pivot locations 323; the second spacing324 can be sufficiently large to allow the two rear side lifting surfaceelements 321, 322 to pivot and fold forward and not interfere with eachother in the roadable configuration 400.

The flying car 100 of the present invention, when going from the flyingconfiguration 500 to the roadable configuration 400, can have the frontlifting surface 310 fold rearward and the rear lifting surface 320 foldforward. The front lifting surface 310 can be above the rear liftingsurface 320 when in the roadable configuration 400, in this way thewingspan 502 of the front lifting surface 310 can be greater that thewingspan 503 of the rear lifting surface 320.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the directionalstability means 650 for the flying configuration 500 comprise a pair ofsubstantially vertical aerodynamic stabilizer surfaces 652 locatedproximal to the tip sections 306 of the two rear side elements 321, 322of the rear lifting surface 320. The substantially vertical aerodynamicsurfaces 652 can fold to a position proximal to the rear lifting surface320 side elements 321, 322 when forming a roadable configuration 400,whereby the stabilizer surfaces 652 can be folded and stowed between thefront lifting surface 310 and the rear lifting surface 320 when in theroadable configuration 400.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the substantiallyvertical aerodynamic stabilizer surfaces 652 swept back from theirattachment points proximal to the tip sections 306 of their respectiverear side lifting surface elements 321, 322. The stabilizer surfaces 852can fold inwards toward the central section of the rear lifting surface320; the folding action of each stabilizer surface 652 can beaccomplished by means of rotation about two different pivot axes, afirst axis 654 can be approximately in the plane of the stabilizersurface, and a second pivot axis 655 can be approximately in the planeof the rear lifting surface 320. Means of securing the stabilizersurface 652 in a predetermined orientation can be provided when in theflying configuration 500. With this arrangement, a swept back stabilizersurface 652 may be folded proximal to a lifting surface 300 withoutoverhanging the trailing edge 304 of the lifting surface 300, thisresults in a more compact roadable configuration 400.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the energy storagemeans 700 comprise an element selected from the group consisting of: afuel tank with fuel, and a battery module, and a super capacitor bank.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the energyconversion means 750 selected from among the group consisting of: aninternal combustion engine, and a gas turbine, and an electric motor.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the transmissionmeans 800 comprise an element selected from the group consisting of: aclutch, and a drive shaft, and a gear train, and a Vee belt drivesystem, and a cog belt system, and an electrical generator, and anelectric motor.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can further comprise anautopilot system, the autopilot system can be able to control andnavigate the flying car 100 in accordance with programmed instructions.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can further comprise waterballast tanks 820, the water ballast tanks 820 when filled, can provideadditional mass for the flying car 100. The additional mass can giveadditional stability to the roadable configuration 400 in windyconditions.

The flying car 100 of the present invention can have the water ballasttanks 820, when filled, provide additional crash protection for a person121 located within the body 110 of the flying car 100. The water ballasttanks 820 can provide a structural side beam function in the doors andside panels of the vehicle 101.

The present invention provides a method of traveling both on the ground10 through a road system 12 and through the air 20 in a single vehicle101.

The method of the present invention can comprise driving a vehicle 101with folded wings on a road 12, the vehicle 101 can have a plurality ofwheels 140 and means of steering. The vehicle 101 can have aside-to-side lateral axis 124 and a frontal direction 127.

The method of the present invention can comprise unfolding the liftingsurfaces 300 (wings) of the vehicle 101 to form a flying configuration500.

The method of the present invention can comprise allowing a frontlifting surface 310 (front wing) of the vehicle 101 to pivot about asubstantially lateral axis 315 in response to surrounding airflow 30;the front lifting surface 310 can have independent aerodynamic stabilityabout the substantially lateral trim pivot axis 315. The front liftingsurface 310 can seek a predetermined angle of attack 325, 326, 327relative to oncoming airflow 30 from the frontal direction 127 of thevehicle 101.

The method of the present invention can comprise controlling thepredetermined angle of attack 325, 326, 327 of the front lifting surface(front wing) for navigational purposes.

The method of the present invention can comprise providing aerodynamicthrust 205 to the vehicle 101.

The method of the present invention can comprise flying the vehicle 101through the air 20.

The method of the present invention can comprise folding the vehicle's101 lifting surfaces 300 (wings) to produce a roadable configuration400.

The flying vehicle 101 of the present invention can comprise: a body110, said body is capable of carrying a useful load 120, said vehicle101 having a longitudinal axis 122 front to back, a lateral axis 124side to side, and a vertical axis 126 up and down; said body 110 havinga front portion 131, a middle portion 132 and an aft portion 133.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flying car vehicle, said flying car vehicle hasa roadable configuration, and additionally said flying car vehicle has aflying configuration, said flying car vehicle has: a longitudinal axis,a lateral axis, and a vertical axis; said flying car vehicle comprises:a) a body, said body has a front portion, a middle portion and an aftportion b) a front lifting surface proximal to said front portion ofsaid body, said front lifting surface comprises a center section, saidfront lifting surface additionally comprises a starboard section, andsaid front lifting surface additionally comprises a port section; afront starboard pivot connects said starboard section of said frontlifting surface to said center section of said front lifting surface, afront port pivot connects said port section of said front liftingsurface to said center section of said front lifting surface, a frontstarboard pivot axis defines the motion of said front starboard pivot,likewise, a front port pivot axis defines the motion of said front portpivot; in said flying configuration of said flying car vehicle saidfront lifting surface has surrounding airflow, additionally in saidflying configuration said front lifting surface has a first angle ofattack, said first angle of attack is measured relative to saidsurrounding airflow; In said flying configuration, said front liftingsurface additionally has a center of gravity, said front lifting surfaceadditionally has a center of lift, said front lifting surfaceadditionally has a trailing edge, said starboard section and said portsection each have tip sections; said front lifting surface additionallyhas a lateral pivot axis, said lateral pivot axis allows incidencechange of said front lifting surface relative to said front portion ofsaid body, said incidence change allows incidence pivoting of said frontlifting surface in response to said surrounding airflow, said incidencepivoting in response to said surrounding airflow allows said frontlifting surface to fly consistently at said first angle of attackrelative to said surrounding airflow c) a rear lifting surface proximalto said aft portion of said body, said rear lifting surface comprises acenter section, said rear lifting surface additionally comprises astarboard section, and said rear lifting surface additionally comprisesa port section; a rear starboard pivot connects said starboard sectionof said rear lifting surface to said center section of said rear liftingsurface, a rear port pivot connects said port section of said rearlifting surface to said center section of said rear lifting surface, arear starboard pivot axis defines the motion of said rear starboardpivot, and likewise, a rear port pivot axis defines the motion of saidrear port pivot; said port and said starboard sections of said rearlifting surface each have tip sections located outboard of said bodywhen said flying car vehicle is in said flying configuration d) at leastone driven wheel.
 2. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, wherein saidbody of said flying car vehicle is adapted to carrying at least oneperson.
 3. The flying car vehicle of claim 1 comprising four wheelsattached to said body, said four wheels comprise two front wheels andtwo rear wheels, said two front wheels are steerable, whereby saidflying car vehicle may have the roadworthiness of a conventionalautomobile.
 4. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, wherein when saidflying car vehicle is in said flying configuration said center ofgravity of said front lifting surface is located proximal to saidlateral pivot axis of said front lifting surface.
 5. The flying carvehicle of claim 1, additionally comprising at least one guarded ductedfan, whereby people and objects can be protected from dangerous spinningmechanism.
 6. The flying car vehicle of claim 5, wherein said guardedducted fan is located proximal to said aft portion of said body of saidflying car vehicle.
 7. The flying car of claim 5, wherein twoside-by-side guarded ducted fans are provided.
 8. The flying car vehicleof claim 1, additionally comprising at least one adjustable portion ofsaid front lifting surface; a remaining portion of said front liftingsurface is not adjustable; said adjustable portion of said front liftingsurface is adjustable in flight, said adjustable portion of said frontlifting surface has a first position and additionally a second position,when said adjustable portion of said front lifting surface is in saidfirst position said front lifting surface of said flying car vehicle isconfigured to fly at a first angle of attack relative to saidsurrounding airflow, when said adjustable portion of said front liftingsurface is in said second position said front lifting surface of saidflying car vehicle is configured to fly at a second angle of attack,said second angle of attack is relative to said surrounding airflow. 9.The flying car vehicle of claim 8, wherein said front lifting surface isswept back on both sides from said central, section, and whereinfurther, said adjustable portion of said front lifting surface isselected from a group containing: moveable tip sections and moveabletrailing edge portions located proximal to the tip sections and moveabletrailing edge portions located proximal to said central section of saidfront lifting surface.
 10. The flying car vehicle of claim 8, whereinsaid front lifting surface is provided with a reflexed airfoil section.11. The flying car vehicle of claim 8, wherein said adjustable portionof said front lifting surface is located behind said remaining portionof said front lifting surface.
 12. The flying car vehicle of claim 1,wherein said center of gravity of said front lifting surface is locatedcoincident with said lateral pivot axis of said front lifting surface.13. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, wherein a first portion of saidfront lifting surface is fixed in incidence relative to saidlongitudinal axis of said flying car vehicle and a second portion ofsaid front lifting surface changes incidence in response to saidsurrounding airflow.
 14. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, wherein saidbody of said flying car vehicle is configured to carry a load, and saidload comprises cargo.
 15. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, whereinsaid front starboard pivot and said front port pivot of said frontlifting surface are built to allow said starboard section and said portsection of said front lifting surface to fold in a rearward directionwhen said flying car vehicle is transitioning from said flyingconfiguration to said roadable configuration.
 16. The flying car vehicleof claim 15, wherein said front starboard pivot axis of said frontlifting surface is vertical when said front lifting surface is at afirst incidence angle; furthermore at said first incidence angle of saidfront lifting surface, said front port pivot axis of said front liftingsurface is inclined from the vertical by a predetermined angle.
 17. Theflying car vehicle of claim 1, wherein said center section of said frontlifting surface comprises an upper part and a lower part said upper partand said lower part are separated by a predetermined spacing, saidpredetermined spacing allows said port section and said starboardsection of said front lifting surface to fit between said upper part andsaid lower part when said flying car vehicle is in said roadableconfiguration.
 18. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, wherein said frontlifting surface is provided with means of maintaining a substantiallyhorizontal orientation when said flying car vehicle is on the ground insaid flying configuration and a wind is blowing from behind said flyingcar vehicle, said means of maintaining a substantially horizontalorientation comprise torque transmitting structure between said frontlifting surface and said body of said flying car vehicle; said torquetransmitting structure is configured to transmit torque about saidlateral pivot axis of said front lifting surface.
 19. The flying carvehicle of claim 1, wherein said starboard pivot and said port pivot ofsaid rear lifting surface are built to allow said starboard section andsaid port section of said rear lifting surface to fold in a forwarddirection when said flying car vehicle is transitioning from said flyingconfiguration to said roadable configuration.
 20. The flying car vehicleof claim 1, wherein said front lifting surface is located above saidrear lifting surface when said flying car vehicle is in said roadableconfiguration.
 21. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, additionallycomprising a pair of substantially vertical aerodynamic stabilizersurfaces located proximal to the tip sections of said rear liftingsurface, said substantially vertical aerodynamic stabilizer surfacesfold flat to stack proximal to said rear lifting surface when formingsaid roadable configuration of said flying car vehicle.
 22. The flyingcar vehicle of claim 21, wherein at least one of said substantiallyvertical aerodynamic stabilizer surfaces is provided with two pivot axesfor folding from said flying configuration of said flying car vehicleinto said roadable configuration of said flying car vehicle.
 23. Theflying car of claim 1, additionally comprising energy storage means,said energy storage means is selected from the group consisting of: afuel tank with fuel, and a battery module, and a super capacitor bank.24. The flying car vehicle of claim 1, additionally comprising energyconversion means, said energy conversion means is selected from amongthe group consisting of: an internal combustion engine, and a gasturbine, and an electric motor.
 25. The flying car of claim 1,additionally comprising transmission means, said transmission means isselected from the group consisting of: a clutch, and a drive shaft, anda gear train, and a vee belt drive system, and a cog belt system, and anelectrical generator combined with an electric motor.
 26. The flying carof claim 1, further comprising an autopilot system, said autopilotsystem is configured to control and navigate said flying car vehicle inaccordance with pre-programmed instructions.
 27. The flying car of claim1, further comprising water ballast tanks, said water ballast tanks whenfilled, provide additional mass for said flying car vehicle, wherebysaid additional mass provides additional resistance to wind disturbancefor said roadable configuration of said flying car vehicle when drivingin windy conditions.
 28. The flying car of claim 27, wherein said waterballast tanks, when filled, are positioned to provide additional crashprotection for material located within said body of said flying carvehicle.
 29. A method of traveling both on a road system and through theair in the same vehicle comprising: a) driving a vehicle with foldablewings on a road, while said foldable wings are folded to form a roadableconfiguration of said vehicle; said vehicle having a plurality ofwheels, said vehicle having at least one steerable wheel, said vehiclehaving a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis as well as a vertical axisand a frontal direction b) unfolding said foldable wings of said vehicleto form a flying configuration; in said flying configuration each saidfoldable wing has an angle of incidence relative to said longitudinalaxis of said vehicle c) having at least one front wing, said front winghas a surrounding airflow, said front wing has an angle of attack, saidfront wing has a substantially lateral pivot axis; and additionallyallowing said front wing of said vehicle to pivot about saidsubstantially lateral pivot axis in response to said surrounding airflowand thus change said incidence angle of said front wing; furthermore,said front wing has an independent aerodynamic stability about saidsubstantially lateral pivot axis; said independent aerodynamic stabilityallows said front wing to seek a predetermined angle of attack relativeto said surrounding airflow, said front wing changes said incidenceangle of said front wing by pivoting about said substantially lateralpivot axis in response to variations in said surrounding airflow, saidangle of incidence of said front wing changes as said front wing isseeking and substantially maintaining said predetermined angle of attackrelative to said surrounding airflow, while said airflow is fluctuatingdue to turbulence or to maneuvering of said vehicle d) providingaerodynamic thrust to said vehicle, accelerating said vehicle to apredetermined takeoff speed, said vehicle then rotating and leaving theground in response to an increased aerodynamic lift developed by saidfront lifting surface e) flying said vehicle through the air, whileallowing at least a portion of said front wing of said vehicle to pivotin response to said surrounding airflow of said front wing f) foldingsaid foldable wings to produce a roadable configuration of said vehicle,and moving said vehicle by its own propulsion along the surface of theground.
 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising controlling saidpredetermined angle of attack of said front wing for navigationalpurposes, also controlling the speed and attitude of said vehicle bymeans of changing said predetermined angle of attack of said front wing.31. The method of claim 29, wherein said predetermined angle of attackof said front wing is adjustable by means of adjusting at least onemoveable portion of said front wing.
 32. The method of claim 29, whereinan autopilot system controls said flying of said flying configuration ofsaid vehicle, whereby passengers and cargo may be carried autonomously,without a human pilot onboard.
 33. A flying car vehicle comprising: a) abody, said body has a supporting structure for carrying a load, saidvehicle has a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis;said body has a front portion, a middle portion and an aft portion b) aplurality of wheels attached to said body, and at least one steerablewheel c) at least one driven wheel, and at least one ducted fan d) aroadable configuration said roadable configuration is withinpredetermined size limitations for of a road vehicle e) a flyingconfiguration f) a plurality of aerodynamic lifting surfaces, comprisingat least one front lifting surface located near said front portion ofsaid body and at least one rear lifting surface located proximal to saidaft portion of said body; each lifting surface when in said flyingconfiguration has: a leading edge, and a trailing edge, and at least onetip section outboard from the car body, and a central section proximalto said body; in said flying configuration each said lifting surfacewhich is in motion relative to surrounding air has: surrounding airflow,and an angle of attack and a lift coefficient, and a center of lift;each lifting surface has an airfoil, additionally, in said flyingconfiguration each lifting surface has an incidence angle, saidincidence angle is measured relative to said longitudinal axis of saidvehicle g) a lateral pivot axis, said lateral pivot axis allows changesin said incidence angle of at least a portion of said front liftingsurface in response to changes in said surrounding airflow of said frontlifting surface, said front lifting surface has an independent center ofgravity, said independent Center of gravity of said front liftingsurface is located proximal to said lateral pivot axis, said lateralpivot axis is predeterminedly located coincident with said center oflift of said front lifting surface when said front lifting surface isoperating at a first angle of attack, said front lifting surface has anindependent pitch stability when pivoted about said lateral pivot axisand said front lifting surface is operating at said first angle ofattack.